Pacific League MVP, but the coveted Sawamura Award went to Yomiuri Giants pitcher Koji Uehara (20-4, 2.09, 197.2 IP, 179 strikeouts), despite Kudo recording more strikeouts. As the team's ace, Kudo started the first game of the 1999 Japan Series against the Chunichi Dragons. He struck out 13 batters in a complete game shutout and earned the win. He was not needed the rest of the way as the Dragons took game two, but the Hawks responded with the three consecutive wins to claim the title. Kudo's contract was up after the season and despite an inspired attempt to keep him, the Hawks could not retain him. Instead, he signed with the Yomiuri Giants, and was reunited with another former Seibu teammate, Kazuhiro Kiyohara. 2000–2006: Yomiuri Giants 2000-2002: 10th and 11th Championship Showing that he had plenty of good pitching left in him, Kudoh continued his winning ways, even after moving to the non-DH Central League for the first time. Having never had to bat in his first 18 seasons as a pitcher, Kudoh infamously went 84 straight at-bats without recording a hit during his first season with Yomiuri. However, Kudoh showed that he was signed for his pitching and his big contract was worth it. He won 11 games and struck out 148 with a 3.11 ERA in 136 innings. He was named Best Nine Award, but the Sawamura Award was not awarded as the committee deemed that nobody was worth to win the coveted award. Up to that point, it had only happened 3 times in its history (1971, 1980, 1984). The real attraction for Kudo in 2000 came when he ended up facing the team he had played for one year prior, the defending champion Fukuoka Daiei Hawks, in the 2000 Japan Series. Kudo only made one appearance in the series. In game 1, Kudo received a no decision after he threw 7 innings, gave up 3 runs and struck out 8 batters. The Giants won 4 straight games after losing the first 2 at Fukuoka Dome for Kudoh's 10th Japan Series victory. The 2001 season was one to forget for Kudo as he posted career-worsts pretty much across the board. He missed significant time due to injury and ended the season with a 1–3 record and an 8.44 ERA. He also threw a career-low innings. After putting up with significant rehab time, the lefty rounded back